IAS Preparation: Questions for Prelims 25 January 2018

Shravan Nune

Jan 25, 2018 15:34 IST

NAL-SARAS

To clear the IAS Exam, continuous efforts to master the current affairs component are a must. To answer current affairs based questions in prelims, one should not only have the preliminary information about the current events, but also the clarity about the issues and concepts involved.

To cater to this need of IAS Exam aspirants, Jagran Josh is providing five important Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on a daily basis. The questions cover important current affairs events in the fields of economy, national, India-World relations, science and technology, environment, etc. Answers along with detailed explanations to the questions will help the aspirants in answering further questions on the given topic in all the phases of the exam – Preliminary, Mains written and Personality Test.

IAS Topper 2016 Sohil Mir Qasim Rank 125 - Prelims Strategy Part 1

IAS Exam Current Affairs Prelims Practice MCQs for 25 January 2018 are as given below.

1. Consider the following statements related to the UDAN Scheme that was in the news recently.1) The scheme was launched by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to provide regional air connectivity.2) It covers all the States and Union Territories except Jammu & Kashmir and Aurnachal Pradesh.

The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) Scheme was in the news in January 2018 as contracts were awarded to 73 underserved and unserved airports and helipads under the phase 2 of the scheme. For the first time, bids were received from helicopter operators under the UDAN Sheme. Under the phase 1 of the scheme, which concluded in March 2017, a total of 128 routes were awarded to five airline operators.

Some of the cities that would now be connected include Kargil, Darbhanga, Kasauli, Bokaro, Dumka, Hubli, Kannur and Pakyong, among others.

About UDAN Scheme

• It is a regional connectivity scheme. It was launched in October 2016 as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016. It covers all the States and the Union Territories in India.

• Its primary objective is to make flying affordable to the common man, even in small towns.

• It is a unique market-based mechanism to develop regional air connectivity, under which airlines bid for seat subsidies. Under the scheme, an airline operator can bid for up to 40 subsidised seats.

• UDAN aims to increase the ticketing volume from 80 million to 300 million by 2022.

• Under the scheme, airlines will have complete freedom to enter into code sharing with larger airlines for connectivity. The participating airlines will be exempted from various airport charges.

• Airlines will get exclusive rights for three years to fly on a particular regional route.

• Airfares will be capped at 2500 rupees for an hour's flight for regional flights.

• Route networks would also be encouraged under the scheme to achieve economies of scale and optimal usage of an aircraft. Routing is the process of selecting a path for traffic in a network, or between or across multiple networks.

2. Recently, the Union Government gave its approval for the Rs 6808.69 crore Zojila Pass Tunnel Project. Against this backdrop, identify the State in which the Zojila pass is located?a) Jammu and Kashmirb) Uttarakhandc) Sikkimd) Arunachal Pradesh

Answer. a

Explanation:

In January 2018, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval for the construction, operation and maintenance of 14.150 km long 2-lane bi-directional Zojila Pass Tunnel Project. The construction of this tunnel will provide all weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh and will bring about all round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. The project has strategic and socio-economic importance and shall be an instrument for the development of the economically backward districts in Jammu and Kashmir. The civil construction cost of the project is Rs 4899.42 crore, while the total capital cost of the project is Rs 6808.69 crore.

About Zojila Pass

• Zojila is a high mountain pass in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the Indian National Highway 1D between Srinagar and Leh in the western section of the Himalayan mountain range.

• The pass provides a vital link between Ladakh and Kashmir Valley. It runs at an elevation of approximately 3,528 metres and is the second highest pass after Fotu La on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

• Other important passes in Jammu and Kashmir are Mintaka, Parpik, Khunjerb, Aghil, Banihal, Pir-Panjal and Zojila.

On January 24, 2018, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2018 was released. It was released by the Yale University, along with the Columbia University and the World Economic Forum (WEF), during the ongoing WEF annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Out of the 180 countries surveyed, India was adjudged as the fourth-worst performing country in terms of environmental protection. On the other hand, Switzerland leads the EPI 2018, followed by France, Denmark, Malta and Sweden in the same order. In the EPI 2016, India was placed at the 141st position. The EPI is released biannually.

The Environmental Performance Index 2018 ranked countries on 24 performance indicators across 10 categories covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality. The report concluded that despite government action, pollution from solid fuels, coal and crop residue burning and emissions from motor vehicles continue to severely degrade the air quality for millions of Indians.

4. Recently, the Union Government has launched the Phase -1 i.e. the beneficiary module of the Rapid Reporting System for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls. Consider the following statements regarding this:1. The scheme aims at providing them nutritional support @ Rs.9.50/beneficiary/day for 300 days in a year, motivating out of school girls to go back to formal schooling or skill training under the non-nutrition component of the scheme.2. The government has also approved expansion and universalisation of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in a phased manner i.e. in additional 303 districts in 2017-18 and the remaining districts in 2018-19 with the simultaneous phasing out of Kishori Shakti Yojana.

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the Phase -1 i.e. the beneficiary module of the Rapid Reporting System for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls - a web-based online monitoring for the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in New Delhi recently. The RRS will facilitate the monitoring of the scheme and take corrective measures by ensuring the faster flow of information, accurate targeting of the beneficiaries and reduction of leakages.

The government on 16 November 2017, realizing the multi-dimensional needs of out of school adolescent girls (11-14 years) owing to the onset of second growth spurt during this period and with a aim to motivate these girls to join school system, approved continuation of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) for out of school girls in the age group of 11-14 years. The scheme aims at providing them nutritional support @ Rs.9.50/beneficiary/day for 300 days in a year, motivating out of school girls to go back to formal schooling or skill training under the non-nutrition component of the scheme. The government has also approved expansion and universalisation of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls in a phased manner i.e. in additional 303 districts in 2017-18 and the remaining districts in 2018-19 with the simultaneous phasing out of Kishori Shakti Yojana.

5. Recently, the first flight trial of the new version of the indigenous civilian aeroplane Saras conducted successfully. Consider the following statements regarding this:1. Nearly a decade after a tragic crash of the 14-seater Saras, which effectively stalled the indigenous civilian aircraft programme, now the first flight trial of the new version of the aeroplane, PT1N (Prototype 1 New) has been successful.2. The aircraft programme, named after the Indian crane Saras, was first conceptualised in the 1990s as a way to establish a short-haul civil aviation market.3. This was a flagship programme by National Aeronautical Laboratory.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?a. 2 onlyb. 1 and 2c. 2 and 3d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer. d

Explanation:

First flight trial of the new version of the indigenous civilian aeroplane proves successful. During the trial, Saras has touched a height of 8,500 feet with a speed of 140 knots. As per the official report, it has been expected that in the coming weeks, subsequent design and altitude alterations can see the flight reach closer to its top speed of 184 knots and 30,000 feet in height. The aircraft programme, named after the Indian crane Saras, was first conceptualised in the 1990s as a way to establish a short-haul civil aviation market.

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.
OK

X

Register to view Complete PDF

Study Location

Please Check to get Updates via Email & SMS
I'm giving my consent for the college representative to call me